Karen S. Norlander, special counsel to the Firm, is an attorney whose practice has focused on special education and the law for more than 20 years.  Prior to joining Girvin& Ferlazzo, Ms. Norlander  served as a managing attorney in the New York State Education Department.  Recognized as one of the State's leading authorities on special education law, Ms. Norlander is a regular guest speaker at conferences statewide.  She served as managing attorney for the State Education Department from 1989 to 1994, where she worked closely with the Commissioner and his staff on the broad spectrum of matters involving public education and the law.  In that capacity she also provided the Office of Special Education Programs with day to day advice on the complex state, federal and legal challenges confronting them.  Ms. Norlander has developed several publications on public education and the law and lectures extensively throughout the state on a wide variety of education law topics.  At Girvin & Ferlazzo, Ms. Norlander heads the firm's special education unit.

Ms. Norlander earned a masters in social work from Columbia University and her law degree from Pace University School of Law.